Francis lay nobton



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet .1.,

F. L. NORTON.

LIFE OR OTHER BOAT. No. 323,357. Patented July 28, 1885.

N. PEYERS PhnAwLilhcgr-wher, Washingiun. u C.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2'.

(No Mode l.)

F. L. NORTON. LIFE OR OTHER BOAT.

No. 323,357. Patented July 28. 1885.

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FRANCIS LAY NORTON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOE OF ONE-HALF TO MARGARET SIDNEY NORTON, OF SAME PLACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 323,357, dated July 28, 1885.

Application filed November 19, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

:lc it known that l, FRANCIS LAY NORTON, of the city of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Li fe, Ships, and OtherBoats, of which the following is a specification.

The invention has for its object improvements in life-boats, ships boats, and other boats, in order to render them safer, and therefore more reliable in use, by decreasing and minimizing the liability to capsize.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a plan, Fig. II is a longitudinal section, and Figs. lll and IV are cross or midship sections, of a lifeboat illustrating my invention.

In carrying my invention into effect, I construct the boat with two distinct frames, to b, and plankings or skins a I), each of which is calked or otherwise rendered watertight, whereby, in the event ofinjury to the outer skin, a, the boat would, when "titted, as hereinafter described, still have suliicient buoyancy for safety, and these frames a b and skins or plankings a b are also connected together in a water-tight manner at their upper parts by covering-pieces c, in order to prevent the entrance of water between the same.

The outer frame, a, and planking or skin a I form on any desired lines consistent with safety and with the obtainment of the desired speed, but I preferably form them, especially for life-boats, somewhat deeper than usual, for the pur 'iosc of obtaining the requisite accommodation in the interior of the boat, and for the purpose of affording space between the two skins or plankin a b for the accommodation of the air-chambers cl and ballastchamhers e, hereinafter described. A larger proportionate width of spaceis allowed between the ends a I) of the outer and inner skins or plankings, than between the sides and bottoms thereof, and the ends 3/ of the inner skin or planking, I)", I form preferably square across, in order to form large chambers f at the ends of the boat. In each of these end chambers f I fix a platfo1n1,j",at a short distance from the keel g, in order to carry hermetically-closed metallic air-chambers l1, formed to fit, or approximately so, such end chambers or spaces, 1", and at. the same time the use of such platforms obviates the necessity for forming such metallic air-chambers 71/ to fit the contracted space near the keel. I also form the space between the two plankings a 1) somewhat less in width at the bends of the boat than at the sides and bottom.

Into the said space I place, at the bottom. and on each side of the keel g, a numbero'f metallic automatic ballast-chambers, aformed to fit, or approximately so, the space between the inner and outer skins or plankings, and of width to fit between the ribs to of the outer skin or planking, a, thereby obtaining a number of independent ballast-chambers, which arrangement always maintains the equal distribution of the water-ballast along the length of the boat. These automatic ballast-chambers e are formed with comparatively narrow arms, 0, extending to a greater or less distance around the bends of the boat, and with longi- 7o tudinal openings 0 close to the keel and in a line with the latter, extending about threefourths of the longitudinal width of such chambers e. The width of such openings is about one-fourth of their length. These openings 6 7 5 are so formed and connected with the outer skin or planking as to be periectly watertight at such part, and thereby prevent the admission of water to the space between the two skins or plankin gs outside the said ballast-ch amber (2. So I also form such latter space deeper along each side of the keel than other parts, whereby (the metallic automatic ballastchambers 0 being of similar form) a greater depth, and therefore weight, of waterba-llast is obtained 8 along the line of the keel than elsewhere, and

I connect to each of such ballast-chambers c,

at the lower part of the ascending arm 0', a small air-pipe, c, which passes up vertically between the chambers 0, and is connected with a longitudinal pipe, 0, running on each side of the boat, immediately under the coveringboard 0 of the two frames and joining at the stem inside the covering-board of the stem airchamber, at which pointthe said pipe is fitted 9 5 with asmall air-valve, 0 which permits the air in such ballast-chambers c to escape from the lower part thereof, thereby enabling such ballast chambers 42 to im mediate] y receive their water-ballast while still retaining the air in 00 the ascending arms 6 of such ballast-chainbers e. The escapepipes and the valve c should be sufficient size to allow the ready escape of the air from the ballast-chambers 0. The remainder of the space between the two skins or plankings I fill with hermetically-closed air-chambers cl, which may be of greater width fore and aft, and therefore less in number,than the ballast-chambers e,but they must not exceed one-tenth the length of boat. They will be shaped to fit, or approximately so, such space, except that for facility of construc tion they may lie across and not fit in between the ribs a of the outside skin or planking, a. They are also formed at their lower parts with descending arms ('6' to fit the space unoccupied by the arms 0 of the ballast-chambers 0, whereby the entire space between the two skins or plankings, a I), is filled, or nearly so, with air and ballast chambers d c. As shown in the drawings, the rising arms 0' of the ballast-chambers a should be formed to lie outside the descending arms d of the airchambers d. I also employ suitable supports, 2' j, from the outer frame to support the floor and bends of the inner skin or planking, I), and I fix the various metallic chambers d e h rigidly in position to prevent any movement and consequent wear of the same.

The boat will be fitted with the usual discharge-pipes, 7., and valves in the bottom, in order to free it of water which may enter it over the gun wale.

In the construction of life-boats I prefer to employ about the following proportions of parts: The width ofinside frame, I), and plank i ing 1) midships to be one-fifth of the length of boat; the depth inside from gunwale to floor of inside frame or planking to be one-eighth of the length of boat; the combined width of side chambers midships between frames a b to be one-third of inside width of frame I), or to be on each side one-sixth of such width; depth of automatic ballast-chambers e, between floors on line of keel, to be one-third of inside depth of boat; depth of keel outside to be one-quarter of the depth of distance be tween floors; air chambers f j at bow and stern to be one-tenth of the length of boat over all. In the construction of ships boats and other boats not being life-boats, I prefer to employ about the following proportions of parts: The width ofinsidc frame, I), and planking b midships to be one-sixth of the length of boat; the depth inside from gunwale to floor of inside frame or planking to be onetenth of the length of boat; the width of each side chambers'midships between frames c b to beone-eighth ofinside width of frame I); depth of automatic ballast-chambers 0, between floors on line of keel, to be one quarter of inside depth of boat; depth of keel outside to be one-fifth of the depth of distance between floors; airchambers f f at bow and stern to be. onetwelfth of the length of boat over all.

A boat constructed and fitted as above described will, on being lowered into the water, automatically receiveits water-ballastthrough the openings 0 in the bottoms of its ballastchambers c, the air in such chambers 0, except that contained in the arm 0, being by the entrance of the water forced out through the pipes e c and valve 6 and on again raising the boat from the water the compressed air in the arm 0 will cause the water in the ballastchambers 0 to be discharged therefrom. The openings 0 in the bottom of the ballast chamber e are sufficiently large to insure the speedy running off of the water therefrom, thevalve being a self-acting one.

Having now described the nature of my said invention and the mode in which I carry the same into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim is 1. In combination, a series of separate and independent water-ballastchambers located along the keel, and each provided with an aperture for the ingress of water, as described, a pipe communicating with each of said chambers and extending above the waterline, and a valve for controlling the passage through said pipe, substantiallyin the manner set forth.

2. In a boat, substantially as herein described, the combination of a series of sepa rate and independent water-ballast chambers located along the keel, as described, each being provided with an aperture for the induction of water, and a pipe communicating therewith and extending above the water-line for the egress of air, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a boat, substantially as herein dearms 6 and extending above the water-line, as

described.

4. In a boat, the double shell to a b b and cover 0, so arranged as to form the chambers d, as described, in combination with the separate and independent water-ballast chambers a, secured water-tight in said chambers d, and having apertures for the ingress of water and egress of air, as set forth.

5. The combination, with the outer shell, (1. a, and the inner shell, I) I), having the end walls, a and 11 respectively, of the hermeticall y-sealed chamber h, placed in the space between said end walls, so as to be removable therefrom, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. Tl; e combination,with aseries of independent water-ballast chambers, each having an aperture for the ingress of water and a pipe communicating therewith and extending above the water-line, of a common pipe with which said independent pipes communicate, and a valve located in said common pipe, as and for the purpose set forth.

In witness, &c.

FRANCIS LAY NORTON.

Witnesses:

EVARHARDUS GoBERrUs IVIACKAY, AUGUST SIEGFRIED WOGEN, At American Consals Ojficc, Amsterdam, September, .47 1884. 

